NFU president Peter Kendall has confirmed he will step down at the next NFU elections in February, after holding the position for eight years.

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Kendall announced his decision to step down after the current term, his fourth, in January 2012. He went unchallenged in that year's NFU elections after deputy president Meurig Raymond withdrew during hustings.

Mr Kendall confirmed that he will not be standing in the 2014 elections on Monday, when the union began the process of electing its office holder team during NFU Council. The union will is currently holding nominations for the posts of President, Deputy President and Vice President.

Raymond, and current vice president Adam Quinney, are likely to be top contenders for the presidency.

Commenting on the changes to agriculture seen since he took office in 2006, Mr Kendall said on Monday, "Sir John Beddington's foresight report and three global food spikes has meant that agriculture's importance is being increasingly recognised. And there is still much work to do in many areas. I have always planned for this to be my final term in office but I will be leaving the NFU in excellent shape."